Page 94 of Movers and Shakers

I stood on my tiptoes to do the same to him. He spun faster than I did and landed facing me. “See? Fun.”

“It was,” he said. “And now I see why the dance nights are so popular. I’d never experienced it for myself.”

“One twirl isn’t enough to experience a dance night.” I shook my head. “Let’s do the real thing.”

I held out a hand, hoping he wouldn’t turn me down. And when he didn’t, the joy I felt could have lifted me right back onto the rooftop.

We went deeper into the crowd. My feet moved in accord, tapping to the beat I’d danced to onstage, but I let myself mess it up. I let myself dance for fun and not for perfection. I wasn’t onstage here. I was simply a woman in a bar.

And I was havingfun.

I lost time, dancing to a mix of songs, some of which were new to me. As I moved, occasionally Barry would twirl me, making me feel like a princess in a ballroom.

When we finally stopped after nearly an hour, both of our chests were heaving. “You’re very good at dancing,” he said.

“You too. Incredible, actually.”

I wasn’t usually this sweaty unless I was at the gym or onstage. It was amazing to let loose and dance for a while as someone who wasn’t Lila.

My phone chimed and I saw that Juno was checking on me. “I should get back. But thank you for hanging out with me.”

“You’re welcome here any time.”

The corners of his lips moved upward and I smiled back. It had been worth it, breaking it off as Lila and being Rose instead. My secret was safe and now I had this all over again. I’d done the right thing.

Or at least I hoped I did.

Barry

“Since when do you dance?” Audrey asked after the bar had closed.

“I don’t,” I said. “That was an exception.”

“You were almost as good as me!” Liam exclaimed.

“And you two looked good together. Happy,” Audrey added. “But what aboutyou know who?”

Even thinking about Lila hurt. “It’s over. She broke it off.”

“I’m sorry. I know how much you liked her.”

“Don’t be. I . . . messed it up. I wasn’t open with her about the things I should have been.”

“So, Rose?” Liam asked. “She’s different.”

And she was—but only I knew the truth. I was making it work with her because of who she reminded me of. “Yeah.”

“And she hasmoves.If I squint, I would say she’s as good as a certain pop star you know.”

“Guys,” I said, sighing. “She’s a different person.”

Even if I forgot it.

“Fair enough. She definitely doesn’tlooklike her, that’s for sure. You have a type.”

“And what’s that?”

“Dancers.”

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